EP4228223A1 - Mécanisme de commande de communication avec fonction de commande d'état d'appel en nuage - Google Patents

Mécanisme de commande de communication avec fonction de commande d'état d'appel en nuage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4228223A1
EP4228223A1 EP22156079.0A EP22156079A EP4228223A1 EP 4228223 A1 EP4228223 A1 EP 4228223A1 EP 22156079 A EP22156079 A EP 22156079A EP 4228223 A1 EP4228223 A1 EP 4228223A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
association
communication
network control
communication network
logical
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EP22156079.0A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Alexander Milinski
Sumana PAUL
Sankaran BALASUBRAMANIAM
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Nokia Technologies Oy
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Nokia Technologies Oy
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Priority to EP22156079.0A priority Critical patent/EP4228223A1/fr
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/10—Architectures or entities
    • H04L65/1016—IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/10—Architectures or entities
    • H04L65/1046—Call controllers; Call servers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/1066—Session management
    • H04L65/1073—Registration or de-registration

Definitions

  • Examples of embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods, systems, computer programs, computer program products and (non-transitory) computer-readable media usable for controlling a communication with a cloud based communication network control element or communication network control function, such as a call state control function of an IP multimedia subsystem.
  • examples of embodiments relate to apparatuses, methods, systems, computer programs, computer program products and (non-transitory) computer-readable media usable for enabling a robust communication when a call state control function of an IP multimedia subsystem, such as a P-CSCF, is deployed in a cloud environment across a plurality of sites using different IP addresses.
  • an apparatus for use by a communication network control element or communication network control function using at least two Internet Protocol, IP, addresses comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to receive a register message from a communication element or communication function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function,to process the register message for determining whether the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function, in case the determination is affirmative, to send to the communication element or communication function an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, and to establish a first logical association between the first
  • a method for use in a communication network control element or communication network control function using at least two Internet Protocol, IP, addresses comprising receiving a register message from a communication element or communication function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, processing the register message for determining whether the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function, in case the determination is affirmative, sending to the communication element or communication function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, and establishing a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and a second logical association between the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and the IP address of the
  • these examples may include one or more of the following features:
  • an apparatus for use by a communication element or communication function configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two Internet protocol, IP, addresses of a communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function comprising at least one processing circuitry, and at least one memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the at least one memory and the instructions are configured to, with the at least one processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least: to send a register message to a communication network control element or communication network control function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the register message comprising an indication that the communication element or communication function is configured for the stand-by configuration, to receive, from the communication network control element or communication network control function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, to store the second IP address, and to establish a first
  • a method for use in a communication element or communication function configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two Internet protocol, IP, addresses of a communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function comprising sending a register message to a communication network control element or communication network control function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the register message comprising an indication that the communication element or communication function is configured for the stand-by configuration, receiving, from the communication network control element or communication network control function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, storing the second IP address, and establishing a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and a second logical association between the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function
  • these examples may include one or more of the following features:
  • a computer program product for a computer including software code portions for performing the steps of the above defined methods, when said product is run on the computer.
  • the computer program product may include a computer-readable medium on which said software code portions are stored.
  • the computer program product may be directly loadable into the internal memory of the computer and/or transmittable via a network by means of at least one of upload, download and push procedures.
  • communication networks e.g. of wire based communication networks, such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless communication networks, such as the cdma2000 (code division multiple access) system, cellular 3 rd generation (3G) like the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), fourth generation (4G) communication networks or enhanced communication networks based e.g.
  • ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
  • DSL Digital Subscriber Line
  • wireless communication networks such as the cdma2000 (code division multiple access) system, cellular 3 rd generation (3G) like the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), fourth generation (4G) communication networks or enhanced communication networks based e.g.
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • LTE-A Long Term Evolution-Advanced
  • 5G fifth generation
  • 2G cellular 2 nd generation
  • GSM Global System for Mobile communications
  • GPRS General Packet Radio System
  • EDGE Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution
  • WLAN Wireless Local Area Network
  • WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
  • ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
  • 3GPP 3 rd Generation Partnership Project
  • Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks TISPAN
  • ITU International Telecommunication Union
  • 3GPP2 3 rd Generation Partnership Project 2
  • IETF Internet Engineering Task Force
  • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • IP Multimedia Subsystem is an architectural framework standardized by 3GPP for delivering IP multimedia services. IMS provides methods of delivering voice (VoIP) or other multimedia services in a standardized manner.
  • VoIP voice
  • VoIP voice
  • IMS uses IETF protocols wherever possible, e.g., the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).
  • SIP Session Initiation Protocol
  • IMS shall aid the access of multimedia and voice applications from wireless and wireline terminals.
  • a horizontal control layer is provided that isolates the access network from the service layer.
  • IMS is a collection of different functions, linked by standardized interfaces.
  • a user can connect to IMS in various ways, most of which use the standard IP.
  • IMS terminals such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and computers
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • IMS terminals can register directly on IMS, even when they are roaming in another network or country (the visited network). The only requirement is that they can use IP and run SIP user agents.
  • fixed access e.g., digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modems, Ethernet, etc.
  • mobile access e.g. 5G NR, LTE, etc.
  • wireless access e.g., WLAN, WiMAX
  • a HSS represents a master user database that supports the IMS network entities that actually handle calls. It comprises subscription-related information (subscriber profiles), performs authentication and authorization of the user, and provides information about the subscriber's location and IP information.
  • Call Session Control Function fulfill different roles of SIP servers or proxies, and are used to process SIP signaling packets in the IMS.
  • a Proxy-CSCF is a SIP proxy that is the first point of contact for the IMS terminal.
  • the P-CSCF is used as a user-network interface which protects the network and the IMS terminal.
  • the P-CSCF is assigned to an IMS terminal before registration, and does not change for the duration of the registration. It is located in the path of all signaling, and can inspect every signal. It provides subscriber authentication and may establish an IPsec or other security association with the IMS terminal for preventing attacks and for protecting the privacy of the subscriber. Also other functions are part of the P-CSCF, such as signal inspection, compression/decompression of messages, policy decision and control for authorizing media plane resources e.g., quality of service (QoS) over the media plane.
  • QoS quality of service
  • a Serving-CSCF is the central node of the signaling plane. It is a SIP server, but performs also session control.
  • the S-CSCF downloads user profiles and upload user-to-S-CSCF associations (the user profile is only cached locally for processing reasons and is not changed) from and to the HSS. All necessary subscriber profile information is loaded from the HSS.
  • the S-CSCF handles SIP registrations, which allows it to bind the user location (e.g., the IP address of the terminal) and the SIP address. It is located on the path of all signaling messages of the locally registered users, and can inspect every message. Furthermore, the S-CSCF decides to which application server(s) a SIP message is forwarded, it provides routing services, and enforces the policy of the network operator.
  • I-CSCF Interrogating-CSCF
  • Remote servers can use it as a forwarding point (e.g., registering) for SIP packets. It queries the HSS to retrieve the address of a S-CSCF and assign it to a user performing SIP registration. Furthermore, it forwards SIP request or response to the S-CSCF
  • Network virtualization refers to abstracting network resources that were traditionally delivered in hardware to software.
  • Network virtualization combines multiple physical networks to one virtual, software-based network, or it can divide one physical network into separate, independent virtual networks.
  • network virtualization By means of network virtualization, network services can be decoupled from the underlying hardware and allows virtual provisioning of an entire network. It allows for creating, providing and managing networks in software, while continuing to leverage the underlying physical network as the packet-forwarding backplane.
  • Physical network resources such as switching, routing, firewalling, load balancing, and the like can be delivered in software, and require only IP packet forwarding from the underlying physical network.
  • Network and security services in software are distributed to a virtual layer (hypervisors, in a data center) and attached to individual workloads, such as a virtual machine or container, in accordance with networking and security policies defined for each connected application.
  • workloads such as a virtual machine or container
  • networking and security policies defined for each connected application.
  • Wi-Fi worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth ® , personal communications services (PCS), ZigBee ® , wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs), wired access, etc.
  • WiMAX worldwide interoperability for microwave access
  • Bluetooth ® personal communications services
  • PCS personal communications services
  • ZigBee ® wideband code division multiple access
  • WCDMA wideband code division multiple access
  • UWB ultra-wideband
  • MANETs mobile ad-hoc networks
  • wired access etc.
  • a basic system architecture of a (tele)communication network including a mobile communication system may include an architecture of one or more communication networks including wireless access network subsystem(s) and core network(s).
  • Such an architecture may include one or more communication network control elements or functions, access network elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways or base transceiver stations, such as a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a NodeB (NB), an eNB or a gNB, a distributed or a centralized unit, which controls a respective coverage area or cell(s) and with which one or more communication stations such as communication elements, user devices or terminal devices, like a UE, or another device having a similar function, such as a modem chipset, a chip, a module etc., which can also be part of a station, an element, a function or an application capable of conducting a communication, such as a UE, an element or function usable in a machine-to-machine communication architecture, or attached as a separate
  • a communication network architecture as being considered in examples of embodiments may also be able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet, as well as with individual devices or groups of devices being not considered as a part of a network, such as monitoring devices like cameras, sensors, arrays of sensors, and the like.
  • the communication network may also be able to support the usage of cloud services for virtual network elements or functions thereof, wherein it is to be noted that the virtual network part of the telecommunication network can also be provided by non-cloud resources, e.g. an internal network or the like.
  • network elements of an access system, of a core network etc., and/or respective functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server, access node or entity etc. being suitable for such a usage.
  • a network function can be implemented either as a network element on a dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform, e.g., a cloud infrastructure.
  • a network element or network functions such as a UE, an I-CSCF, an S-CSCF, a P-CSCF, or other network elements or network functions, as described herein, and any other elements, functions or applications may be implemented by software, e.g. by a computer program product for a computer, and/or by hardware.
  • nodes, functions or network elements may include several means, modules, units, components, etc. (not shown) which are required for control, processing and/or communication/signaling functionality.
  • Such means, modules, units and components may include, for example, one or more processors or processor units including one or more processing portions for executing instructions and/or programs and/or for processing data, storage or memory units or means for storing instructions, programs and/or data, for serving as a work area of the processor or processing portion and the like (e.g. ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and the like), input or interface means for inputting data and instructions by software (e.g. floppy disc, CD-ROM, EEPROM, and the like), a user interface for providing monitor and manipulation possibilities to a user (e.g. a screen, a keyboard and the like), other interface or means for establishing links and/or connections under the control of the processor unit or portion (e.g.
  • radio interface means including e.g. an antenna unit or the like, means for forming a radio communication part etc.) and the like, wherein respective means forming an interface, such as a radio communication part, can be also located on a remote site (e.g. a radio head or a radio station etc.).
  • a remote site e.g. a radio head or a radio station etc.
  • a so-called “liquid” or flexible network concept may be employed where the operations and functionalities of a network element, a network function, or of another entity of the network, may be performed in different entities or functions, such as in a node, host or server, in a flexible manner.
  • a "division of labor" between involved network elements, functions or entities may vary case by case.
  • a cloud deployment pattern for a core network function such as a P-CSCF of an IMS
  • a core network function such as a P-CSCF of an IMS
  • various processing examples are described in which a communication control is conducted by a communication network control element or function which is deployed at a plurality of sites.
  • FIG. 1 mainly shows those parts of a cloud deployment network which are useful for understanding principles of embodiments of the disclosure, while other elements and interfaces are omitted in the illustration.
  • Reference number 1000 denotes a so-called region, and reference signs 1001, 1002 and 1003 denote so-called availability zones (AZ).
  • AZs are isolated locations within data center regions from which public cloud services originate and operate.
  • a region is a geographic location in which public cloud service providers' data centers (in the example in Fig. 1 , DC11, DC12 in AZ1 1001, DC21, DC22 in AZ2 1002, and DC31, DC32 in AZ3 1003) reside.
  • an availability zone is selected by a user for its services depending on the needs of the user, such as compliance and proximity to end customers.
  • services can also be provided across multiple AZs, e.g. for protecting resources.
  • Reference sign 1010 denotes a state databank service comprising several DBs. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the state databank service 1010 is deployed in a plurality of AZ. For example, the database service 1010 keeps relevant registration data.
  • Reference sign 1020 denotes a (single) core network function (such as a P-CSCF) which is spread across a plurality of AZs for resiliency reason.
  • a core network function such as a P-CSCF
  • IP#1, IP#2, IP#3 a different IP address is used in each AZ (i.e. site). That is, the parts located in the different AZ form together a single core network element/function, such as a P-CSCF.
  • Reference sign 1030 denote a virtual private cloud (VPC) in which several K8s clusters including a plurality of nodes are provided. Furthermore, several subnets (SN) are provided. A plurality of K8s clusters and subnets can be provided per VPC.
  • VPC virtual private cloud
  • SN subnets
  • a communication network control element or communication network control function such as a P-CSCF
  • a cloud environment such as shown in Fig. 1
  • the availability of a P-CSCF function is equal to the availability of an IP address of the P-CSCF (server).
  • an application e.g. a P-CSCF NF
  • sites e.g. availability zones within a region, as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • different IP addresses are used on the various sites (i.e. IP#1, IP#2, IP#3). This implies that availability of the P-CSCF no longer equals the availability of the particular IP address.
  • a UE registration is coupled to the IP address of a P-CSCF, not to the P-CSCF NF (e.g. FQDN).
  • P-CSCF NF e.g. FQDN
  • This is not in accordance with cloud-native principles.
  • concepts like redundancy within an availability zone as used in the cloud environment is not considered in the control procedures established for the IMS.
  • concepts like highly available IP addresses, on which the IMS configuration is based are difficult to replicate in a public cloud environment.
  • a failover between IP addresses of the communication network control element or function e.g. of the P-CSCF is required.
  • the necessity for a switch between P-CSCF IP addresses for example in case of issues with a proxy or due to other reasons, such as connection failure, should not require a new IMS registration.
  • IP address Another approach would be to move an IP address across sites and data centres.
  • router-based protocols such as BFD, OSPF
  • gratuitous ARP are used as a basis of an IP movement solution across data centres.
  • BFD BFD
  • OSPF OSPF
  • gratuitous ARP gratuitous ARP
  • public cloud introduces possibility of expanding applications in web-scale mode across multiple physical datacentres (i.e. availability zones), but it does not provide flexibility to move application IP addresses across these availability zones.
  • a control scheme is proposed in which a communication element or communication function, such as a UE, is made aware of (at least) two IP addresses of same communication network control element or function deployed in the cloud across various sites, such as for example the P-CSCF as described above.
  • the IP addresses are the one which is used at registration (also referred to as a primary IP address) and the other IP address is used as a secondary IP address.
  • the secondary IP address is communicated to the UE during the registration process.
  • this is the case when the communication element or communication function, such as a UE, has indicated to the network, i.e. the communication network control element or function, that it is configured for a so-called stand-by configuration in which is can participate in a control scheme where two IP addresses are used for logical associations and one thereof is used as a stand-by association.
  • two (or more) logical associations between the UE IP address and P-CSCF IP addresses are established.
  • One of these logical associations is considered to be active (e.g. that of the primary IP address of the P-CSCF) while the other is considered as being a stand-by association.
  • the stand-by association can be used for replacing the failed association, i.e. the stand-by association is switched to be the (new) active association.
  • Fig. 2 shows a diagram illustrating an example of associations between a UE 10 (as an example of a communication element or communication function) and a P-CSCF 20 (as an example of a communication network control element or communication network control function) deployed in a cloud environment across various sites.
  • the UE 10 (which uses one IP address) is linked to the P-CSCF via two logical associations, one between the UE 10 (i.e. the IP address thereof) and a first (primary) IP address IP#1 of the P-CSCF 20, which is considered as an active association, and another between the UE 10 (i.e. the IP address thereof) and a second (secondary) IP address IP#2 of the P-CSCF 20, which is considered as a stand-by association.
  • one side e.g. the P-CSCF
  • a message e.g. a SIP message such as an INVITE message
  • the other side e.g. the UE
  • this message is accepted on the receiving side even if it is sent via the other association, i.e. from a different IP address not being used for the registration.
  • the UE intends to send an INVITE message
  • SA security association
  • IPsec IPsec
  • Fig. 3 shows a signaling diagram of a SIP message exchange at a registration process of a UE to the IMS, wherein an SA procedure is included. It is to be noted that only those nodes of the IMS are indicated which are required for understanding the principle underlying examples of embodiments, i.e. the UE, the P-CSCF and the S-CSCF, while other elements, such as the I-CSCF, are omitted for the sake of simplicity. Due to this, there are also gaps in the numbering of messages illustrated in Fig. 3 .
  • an SA procedure is conducted in order to establish the SA for the logical associations between the communication element, i.e. the UE, and the communication network control element or communication network control function, i.e. the P-CSCF
  • different options for the security setting are possible. That is, regarding ports (sender port and receiver port) at the UE side and the P-CSCF side, it is possible to use the same ports for the first and second security association, or to use different ports for the first and second security associations, respectively. Also a setting where only one of the sender and receiver port is different between the first and second SA is possible.
  • security parameter index (SPI) values it is possible that the communication network control element or function, e.g. the P-CSCF, which is provided with two different IP addresses, can use the same SPI values for the two SA.
  • the communication network control element or function e.g. the P-CSCF
  • the first and second security associations are used with different SPI values.
  • both the first and second security associations use the same encryption algorithms or parameters and keys.
  • the respective different setting has to be communicated to the other side by means of a suitable signaling, e.g. one of the SIP signaling described in the following.
  • the UE sends a Register message (SM1) towards the S-CSCF to register the location of the UE and to set-up the security mode.
  • SM1 Register message
  • the UE includes a Security-setup-line in this message.
  • the Security-setup-line in SM1 contains various parameters, such as security parameter index (SPI) values and protected ports selected by the UE.
  • SPI security parameter index
  • the UE includes two unique ports (one client and one server port) and two unique SPIs (one associated to the client port, and one associated to the server port) in the REGISTER message. It also contains a list of identifiers for the integrity and encryption algorithms, which the UE supports.
  • the SM1 message comprises an indication that the UE supports the new feature described above, i.e. the establishment of more than one logical association to the P-CSCF with different IP addresses for active and stand-by associations.
  • the SM1 message can have the following contents.
  • SPI_U is a symbolic name of a pair of SPI values (e.g. spi_uc, spi_us) that the UE selects.
  • spi_uc is the SPI of the inbound SA at UE's the protected client port
  • spi_us is the SPI of the inbound SA at the UE's protected server port.
  • Port_U is a symbolic name of a pair of port numbers (e.g. port_uc, port_us).
  • the indication of support of the above described feature is e.g. a flag set to a specified value (e.g. "1").
  • the P-CSCF Upon receipt of SM1, the P-CSCF temporarily stores the parameters received in the Security-setup-line together with the UE's IP address from the source IP address of the IP packet header.
  • the REGISTER message is forwarded to the S-CSCF.
  • the P-CSCF Upon receipt of SM4, the P-CSCF adds keys IK IM and CK IM received from the S-CSCF to the temporarily stored parameters. The P-CSCF then selects the SPIs for the inbound SAs. The P-CSCF defines the SPIs such that they are unique and different from any SPIs as received in the Security-setup-line from the UE.
  • the P-CSCF In order to determine the integrity and encryption algorithm the P-CSCF proceeds as follows: the P-CSCF has a list of integrity and encryption algorithms it supports, ordered by priority. The P-CSCF selects the first algorithm combination on its own list which is also supported by the UE. If the UE did not include any confidentiality algorithm in SM1 then the P-CSCF shall either select a NULL encryption algorithm or abort the procedure, according to its policy on confidentiality. The P-CSCF then establishes two new pairs of SAs in a local security association database.
  • the P-CSCF sends an authentication challenge message in SM6 to the UE.
  • the Security-setup-line in SM6 contains the SPIs and the ports assigned by the P-CSCF. It also contains a list of identifiers for the integrity and encryption algorithms, which the P-CSCF supports. Furthermore, in the response SM6 (e.g. 401), the P-CSCF provides a second IP address, e.g. from another site or another datacenter, which the UE shall use as backup IP address.
  • the second IP address information can be provided to the UE also with another message, such as a confirmation message like SM12 (described later).
  • the SM6 message can have the following contents.
  • SPI_P is a symbolic name of the pair of SPI values (e.g. spi_pc, spi_ps) that the P-CSCF selects.
  • spi_pc is the SPI of the inbound SA at the P-CSCF's protected client port
  • spi_ps is the SPI of the inbound SA at the P-CSCF's protected server port.
  • Port_P is a symbolic name of the port numbers (e.g. port_pc, port_ps).
  • the UE Upon receipt of SM6, the UE determines the integrity and encryption algorithms as follows: the UE selects the first integrity and encryption algorithm combination on the list received from the P-CSCF in SM6 which is also supported by the UE. If the P-CSCF did not include any confidentiality algorithm in SM6 then the UE shall select the NULL encryption algorithm.
  • the information provided in the first REGISTER message SM1 i.e. the UE indicates the support for the stand-by configuration
  • the provision of the second IP address in SM6 are necessary for both options when an SA is required and when no SA is required.
  • IP Sec is used, i.e. security associations are required.
  • both UE and network i.e. the P-CSCF
  • both P-CSCF use the same port numbers.
  • the P-CSCF use the same SPI values.
  • Both sides use the same encryption parameters and keys for both security associations (i.e. the SA for IP#1 and the SA for IP#2).
  • the SA information in SM6 is valid also for the second SA.
  • the corresponding parameters for the second SA are added to SM7, which is the second-round REGISTER process as described below. It is to be noted that since the UE uses different SPI values for both SA, an indication of this SPI values is sent to the network (the P-CSCF) in this message in any case.
  • the UE After receiving the SM6 message, the UE proceeds to establish two new pairs of SAs. That is, the UE shall integrity and confidentiality protect SM7 and all following SIP messages. Furthermore, integrity and encryption algorithms list, SPI_P, and Port_P received in SM6, and SPI_U, Port_U sent in SM1 shall be included. Moreover, the SM7 includes a new set of values for the SPI and port, as indicated above.
  • the SM7 message can have the following contents.
  • the P-CSCF After receiving SM7 from the UE, the P-CSCF shall check whether the integrity and encryption algorithms list, SPI_P and Port_P received in SM7 is identical with the corresponding parameters sent in SM6. It further checks whether SPI_U and Port_U received in SM7 are identical with those received in SM1. If these checks are not successful, the registration procedure is aborted. Furthermore, the new set of values for the SPI and port is used for establishing a second SA between the UE and the P-CSCF, similar to the above described process.
  • the P-CSCF includes information to the S-CSCF that the received message from the UE was integrity protected.
  • the P-CSCF adds this information to all subsequent REGISTER messages received from the UE that have successfully passed the integrity check in the P-CSCF.
  • the SM8 message can have the following contents.
  • the S-CSCF in SM10 and the P-CSCF in SM12 sends to the UE an indication that security mode setup has been successful. After receiving SM12 not indicating an error, the UE can assume the successful completion of the security-mode setup. As indicated above, SM12 can also be used by the P-CSCF to send the indication of the second IP address to the UE. This is the case, for example, in case the UE and network use the same port numbers, the same SPI values and the same encryption parameters and keys for both security associations.
  • the UE and the P-CSCF can establish a security association as per existing standards (for the primary IP address), wherein both sides need to "create it on its side". Furthermore, the UE and the P-CSCF can establish another security association (a second one for the secondary IP address), wherein each side needs to create it on its side.
  • the P-CSCF requires the ability to communicate or a notification service between the entities serving the two different IP addresses.
  • a P-CSCF is used as an example for a cloud based communication network control element or communication network control function.
  • the P-CSCF is assumed to be spread over various sites (in the illustrated examples two sites, i.e. site 1 and site 2, of the cloud environment.
  • the P-CSCF is assumed to be composed of different type of micro-services ( ⁇ s).
  • ⁇ s micro-services
  • two types of micro-services are shown, i.e. one type handling the P-CSCF service logic (indicated as PSL ⁇ s in the figures), and another type handling the IP interface traffic (indicated as D ⁇ s, i.e. dispatcher micro-service in the figures). It is to be noted that in reality the P-CSCF service logic may be de-composed further.
  • the dispatcher logic of the D ⁇ s is coupled with the traffic of a specific local IP address, while the PSL ⁇ s is not coupled to an IP address.
  • the PSL ⁇ s may be stateless.
  • relevant registration data are kept in a data micro-service, which is redundant such that both PSL#x and PSL#y can access the data.
  • a corresponding data micro-service is provided, for example, by database 1010 in Fig. 1 .
  • the P-CSCF related instances in site 1 and site 2 form one (single) P-CSCF cloud-native network function instance wherein two (or more) IP addresses are assigned to the P-CSCF (i.e. one for each site).
  • Fig. 4 is related to a registration process of a UE in the IMS.
  • the process in Fig. 4 is basically similar to that described in Fig. 3 .
  • the UE sends a Register message including security setup information and an indication that it supports the stand-by configuration (i.e. supports usage of multiple IP addresses for establishing logical associations) to the P-CSCF, i.e. to an IP address obtained for the P-CSCF.
  • the used IP address belongs, for example, site 1 of the P-CSCF deployment, so that the D ⁇ s#1 receives the message in S400. That is, S400 corresponds to SM1 of Fig. 3 .
  • the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF forwards the Register message received in S400 to the PSL ⁇ s#x of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S410 to the I-/S-CSCF. That is, S410 corresponds to SM2 of Fig. 3 .
  • the I-/S-CSCF sends a 401 Authentication challenge message to the UE via the P-CSCF. That is, the message is sent to the PSL ⁇ s#x of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S420 to the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF. That is, S415 corresponds to SM4 of Fig. 3 .
  • the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF sends the 401 Authentication challenge message to the UE, wherein the message includes besides security setup information also the second IP address which is related to D ⁇ s#2 of site 2 of the P-CSCF. That is, S425 corresponds to SM6 of Fig. 3 .
  • the second round of registration is conducted by sending a second Register message (which may include a second set of security setup information, at least the second SPI values of the UE) to the P-CSCF.
  • the message is sent again to the first IP address belonging to site 1 of the P-CSCF deployment, so that the D ⁇ s#1 receives the message in S430. That is, S430 corresponds to SM7 of Fig. 3 .
  • the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF forwards the (second) Register message received in S430 to the PSL ⁇ s#x of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S440 to the I-/S-CSCF. That is, S440 corresponds to SM8 of Fig. 3 .
  • the I-/S-CSCF sends a 200 OK message (registration confirmation message) to the UE via the P-CSCF. That is, the message is sent to the PSL ⁇ s#x of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S450 to the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF. That is, S445 corresponds to SM10 of Fig. 3 .
  • the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF sends the 200 OK message to the UE. That is, S455 corresponds to SM12 of Fig. 3 . As indicated above, according to some examples of embodiments, the second IP address can be provided to the UE also in this message in S455.
  • security associations i.e. an SA#1 related to the association between the first IP address of the P-CSCF (i.e. the D ⁇ s#1 of the P-CSCF) and the IP address of the UE
  • an SA#2 related to the association between the second IP address of the P-CSCF (i.e. the D ⁇ s#2 of the P-CSCF) and the IP address of the UE are established on both sides, i.e. the P-CSCF and the UE.
  • Fig. 5 is related to a control process when one of the sites of the communication network control element or communication network control function (i.e. the P-CSCF) is in a failure state (see S500), i.e. it cannot be reached by the network or UE. Specifically, Fig. 5 is related to a case where a terminating call for the UE arrives.
  • the P-CSCF communication network control function
  • an INVITE message is sent via the other association which was so far the stand-by association. That is, the INVITE message is sent to the PSL ⁇ s#y of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S510 to the D ⁇ s#2 of the P-CSCF.
  • the D ⁇ s#2 of the P-CSCF sends the INVITE message to the UE. Since the UE is configured to receive also information via the stand-by association, the INVITE message can be processed as usual.
  • Fig. 6 is related to another control process when one of the sites of the communication network control element or communication network control function (i.e. the P-CSCF) is in a failure state (see S600), i.e. it cannot be reached by the network or UE. Specifically, Fig. 6 is related to a case where where the UE wants to establish a call after a failure of site 1.
  • the UE In S605, the UE tries to reach IP#1 of D ⁇ s#1 by sending an INVITE message, but this is not successful due to the failure state of site 1. Consequently, in S610, the UE retries the sending of the message by transmitting it to the IP#2 of D ⁇ s#2. Since site 2 is operable, in S615, the D ⁇ s#2 of the P-CSCF sends the INVITE message to the PSL ⁇ s#y of the P-CSCF, which in turn forwards this message in S620 to the network, i.e. the I-/S-CSCF.
  • the UE when the first attempt to reach the P-CSCF fails, the UE does not need to start with a completely new initial registration (with both rounds) at a new IP address to establish a new security association, but can use instead the stand-by association to the P-CSCF via the second IP address.
  • Fig. 7 is related to a control procedure when it turns out that a UE registers at the network which is not configured for the above described stand-by configuration, i.e. for example a legacy UE.
  • the UE considered in Fig. 7 does not support the measures described above with regard to the usage of more than one IP address at the communication network control element or function (e.g. the P-CSCF). This is recognized, for example, by the network side when a corresponding indication in the first register message is missing.
  • a P-CSCF application-level restoration should be triggered.
  • the I-/S-CSCF can reach the P-CSCF (at least the still operational site 2), for enabling triggering of such a P-CSCF restoration, a specific error code or a corresponding indication e.g. in a 4xx response from the P-CSCF to the I-/S-CSCF is implemented.
  • the P-CSCF when the P-CSCF receives in S705 an invite message for the UE and recognizes that it cannot send this message from the available IP addresses (dispatcher micro-services) to the UE, the P-CSCF returns in S710 a 4xx message or indication in a 4xx message to the I-/S-CSCF. On the basis of this indication, the I-/S-CSCF can trigger a P-CSCF restoration procedure in S720, e.g. according to standardized processes.
  • cases are considered in which one logical association fails and the communication is continued by switching to the other (the stand-by) association.
  • a case is considered where the failed association becomes available again.
  • the communication element or function i.e. the UE, for example
  • the communication network control element or function i.e. the P-CSCF, for example, can fall back to the use of primary IP address, once it becomes available again.
  • a mechanism to fall back to the formerly used logical association can be set according to corresponding standardization and implementation.
  • both sides are prepared to receive a message through any of the two logical associations.
  • the other established association can be tried to be used, in order to avoid a complete restoration or the like.
  • a failover and failback procedure is handled symmetrically, i.e. both communication element or function side (i.e. the UE, for example) and the network side (i.e. the P-CSCF, for example) can initiate a process according to the stand-by configuration, i.e. fail-over to the other IP address, if the primary logical association becomes unavailable.
  • This solution offers several advantages, but it is to be noted that the network may lose some control of traffic distribution across its IP addresses.
  • a network controlled approach is provided.
  • the UE is not configured to conduct a failover itself, i.e. switch to another logical association. Instead, the UE has to be ready to receive a terminating message (INVITE, MESSAGE, etc.) from both the primary and the secondary IP address.
  • a terminating message INVITE, MESSAGE, etc.
  • the roles of IP addresses is switched, that is the logical association being formerly considered as the active association becomes the stand-by association, while the logical association being formerly considered as the stand-by association (and via which the terminating message is received) becomes the (new) active association which the UE may use now for originating requests.
  • the UE uses a conventional mechanism to failover, such as a P-CSCF restoration process.
  • the following configuration is provided for elements or functions involved in a communication control procedure.
  • an indication of a second IP address of the P-CSCF is added in a registration related message, such as in SM6 or SM12 as described above with regard to a SIP register procedure, towards the UE. Furthermore, a second IP Sec association can be established, either immediately or triggered by a re-REGISTER message from UE. Moreover, the communication network control element or communication network control function side, such as the P-CSCF, stores or remembers the primary point of attachment with the UE (e.g. the IP address used for initial registration procedure).
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function such as the P-CSCF
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function is ready to receive messages on both primary and secondary IP Sec associations.
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function such as the P-CSCF
  • ignores or rejects messages which are sent via the stand-by association e.g. the secondary IP address when the association related to the first IP address is set as the active association.
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function such as the P-CSCF, is configured to use the secondary IP Sec association, if the primary IP Sec association becomes unavailable.
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function such as the P-CSCF, respond with an error message, such as a 4xx message, in case a UE which does not support the stand-by configuration is concerned, which is registered in the P-CSCF but cannot be reached from the site assumed to be the current active site.
  • an error message such as a 4xx message
  • a restoration procedure for connecting the UE to a (new) communication network control element or communication network control function, such as the P-CSCF is to be triggered when the specific 4xx error code or the like is received.
  • an SA for the association considered to be active (related to the primary IP address of the P-CSCF) and an SA for the association considered to be stand-by (related to the secondary IP address of the P-CSCF) can be established when the UE receives the second IP address from the P-CSCF, e.g. in a 200 OK message, as described above. Furthermore, the UE stores the secondary IP address. In addition, the UE is ready to receive messages on both primary and secondary IP Sec associations. When a failure or the like in the active association is determined, a failover between the IP addresses is made (i.e. the (stand-by) secondary IP Sec association is used, if the primary IP Sec association becomes unavailable).
  • a switch of the active association to the other association is not initiated by the UE.
  • the UE only makes a failover between IP addresses and a switch of the roles of the IP addresses after receiving a message via the association being considered to be in stand-by (i.e. the association related to the secondary IP address, for example).
  • Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of a processing conducted in a communication network control element or communication network control function according to some examples of embodiments, wherein the communication network control element or communication network control function uses at least two IP addresses. That is, Fig. 8 shows a flowchart related to a processing conducted by a communication network control element or communication network control function, such as a P-CSCF as also described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 , which is deployed in a computer cloud environment across a plurality of sites each having an own IP address, and is configured to operate as a P-CSCF, wherein parts deployed in different sites are configured to exchange information between each other.
  • a communication network control element or communication network control function such as a P-CSCF as also described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 , which is deployed in a computer cloud environment across a plurality of sites each having an own IP address, and is configured to operate as a P-CSCF, wherein parts deployed in different sites are configured to exchange information between each other.
  • a register message from a communication element or communication function is received via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function (i.e. primary IP address).
  • the register message is processed in order to determine whether the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration. For example, it is checked whether the register message or another message provided by the UE comprises an indication that the stand-by configuration is supported.
  • the stand-by configuration means that the UE is configured to conduct a processing as described above, i.e. that at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function (one as active connection, the other as stand-by connection).
  • the communication network control element or communication network control function sends to the communication element or communication function an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function.
  • the second IP address is different to the first IP address and represents the secondary IP address as described above.
  • the indication of the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function is sent to the communication element or communication function in the context of the register procedure, e.g. by means of an authentication challenge message or in an authentication confirmation message.
  • a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function is established.
  • a second logical association between the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and the IP address of the communication element or communication function is established. From these logical associations, one is considered as an active association (i.e. used for current communication) while the other is considered as a stand-by association, as described above.
  • a security setup procedure is conducted as a part of the stand-by configuration in the establishment of the logical associations.
  • a security association for each of the first and second logical associations is established.
  • the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association can consider different settings and includes at least one of the following.
  • the same port numbers for sender ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • the same port numbers for receiver ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • a third setting the same security parameter index values for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • a fourth setting different security parameter index values for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association further includes to use the same encryption parameters and keys for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association.
  • information regarding at least one of the first to fourth setting used for the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association is sent to the communication element or communication function.
  • a corresponding information is provided to the UE.
  • information regarding a setting used for the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association in the communication element or communication function i.e. the UE is received. The information is processed for the security association.
  • the logical (security) associations When the logical (security) associations are established, according to examples of embodiments, information is received and sent from or to the communication element or communication function by using the first logical association or the second logical association. According to examples of embodiment, the logical association considered as the active association is used for the data transmission. However, a switch to the other association can be made. Furthermore, according to examples of embodiments, when information is received via the other logical association (i.e. the stand-by association), this information is processed as well. That is, according to examples of embodiments, information received from the communication element or communication function via the first logical association and the second logical association is equally processed. Alternatively, according to other examples of embodiments, only information received from the communication element or communication function via the logical association considered as the active association is processed. Information or data received from the communication element or communication function via the logical association considered as the stand-by association is rejected or ignored. This corresponds to the network controlled variant described above, for example.
  • the communication connection determined to be unavailable becomes available again. In case the determination is affirmative, the communication connection being available again (i.e. the logical association being formerly considered as being the active association (the primary association) is reselected as being the active association.
  • the following process is considered.
  • a logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and the IP address of the communication element or communication function is established.
  • an error code is sent to a serving network node or a serving network function (e.g. the S-CSCF) indicating that a restoration procedure for the communication network control element or communication network control function is to be conducted.
  • a serving network node or a serving network function e.g. the S-CSCF
  • Fig. 9 shows a flow chart of a processing conducted in a communication element or communication function according to some examples of embodiments, wherein the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration.
  • the stand-by configuration means that the UE is configured to conduct a processing as described above, i.e. that at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function (one as active connection, the other as stand-by connection). That is, Fig. 9 shows a flowchart related to a processing conducted by a communication element or communication function, such as a US as also described in connection with Figs.
  • a communication network control element or communication network control function with which a logical association for a communication connection is established is deployed in a computer cloud environment across a plurality of sites each having an own IP address, wherein the communication network control element or communication network control function is configured, for example, to operate as a P-CSCF.
  • a register message is sent to a communication network control element or communication network control function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function (i.e. primary IP address).
  • the register message comprising an indication that the communication element or communication function is configured for the stand-by configuration.
  • an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function is received from the communication network control element or communication network control function.
  • the second IP address is different to the first IP address, and represents the secondary IP address as described above. Then, the second IP address is stored.
  • the indication of the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function is received from the communication network control element or communication network control function in the context of the register procedure, e.g. by means of an authentication challenge message or in an authentication confirmation message.
  • a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function is established.
  • a second logical association between the second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and the IP address of the communication element or communication function is established. From these logical associations, one is considered as an active association (i.e. used for current communication) while the other is considered as a stand-by association, as described above.
  • a security setup procedure is conducted as a part of the stand-by configuration in the establishment of the logical associations.
  • a security association for each of the first and second logical associations is established.
  • the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association can consider different settings and includes at least one of the following.
  • the same port numbers for sender ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • the same port numbers for receiver ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • different port numbers for sender ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • different port numbers for receiver ports of the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association are used.
  • the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association further includes to use different security parameter index values for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association.
  • the same encryption parameters and keys are used for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association.
  • information regarding at least one of the fifth or sixth setting used for the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association is sent to the communication network control element or communication network control function.
  • a corresponding information is provided to the P-CSCF. That is, information regarding the security parameter index values for the security association for the first logical association and the security association for the second logical association to the communication network control element or communication network control function is sent to the P-CSCF.
  • information regarding a setting used for the security associations for the first logical association and the second logical association in the communication network control element or communication network control function i.e. the P-CSCF
  • the information is processed for the security association.
  • the logical (security) associations When the logical (security) associations are established, according to examples of embodiments, information is received and sent from or to the communication network control element or communication network control function by using the first logical association or the second logical association. According to examples of embodiment, the logical association considered as the active association is used for the data transmission. However, a switch to the other association can be made. Furthermore, according to examples of embodiments, when information is received via the other logical association (i.e. the stand-by association), this information is processed as well. That is, according to examples of embodiments, information received from the communication element or communication function via the first logical association and the second logical association is equally processed.
  • information is received or sent from or to the communication network control element or communication network control function by using only the logical association considered to be the active logical association.
  • the logical association considered so far as being the stand-by logical association is switched to become the logical association considered to be the active logical association. This corresponds to the network controlled variant described above, for example.
  • information is received or sent from or to the communication network control element or communication network control function by using the logical association considered to be the active logical association.
  • the logical association considered to be the active logical association is not successful (e.g. the current active association become unavailable)
  • the logical association considered so far as being the stand-by logical association is switched to become the logical association considered to be the active logical association.
  • the communication is re-tried by using the logical association considered after the switching as being (now) the active logical association.
  • the communication connection determined to be unavailable becomes available again. In case the determination is affirmative, the communication connection being available again (i.e. the logical association being formerly considered as being the active association (the primary association) is reselected as being the active association.
  • Fig. 10 shows a diagram of a communication network control element or communication network control function, such as a P-CSCF 20, configured to be deployed in a computer cloud environment with a plurality of IP address being related thereto, which conducts a communication control according to some examples of embodiments, as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 , which is configured to conduct a processing according to examples of embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the network element or function such as the P-CSCF 20 may include further elements or functions besides those described herein below.
  • the element or function may be also another device or function having a similar task, such as a chipset, a chip, a module, an application etc., which can also be part of a network element or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like. It should be understood that each block and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry.
  • the P-CSCF 20 shown in Fig. 10 may include a processing circuitry, a processing function, a control unit or a processor 201, such as a CPU or the like, which is suitable for executing instructions given by programs or the like related to the control procedure.
  • the processor 201 may include one or more processing portions or functions dedicated to specific processing as described below, or the processing may be run in a single processor or processing function. Portions for executing such specific processing may be also provided as discrete elements or within one or more further processors, processing functions or processing portions, such as in one physical processor like a CPU or in one or more physical or virtual entities, for example.
  • Reference signs 202 and 203 denotes input/output (I/O) units or functions (interfaces) connected to the processor or processing function 201.
  • the I/O units 202 may be used for communicating with a communication element or communication function, such as the UE, as shown in Fig. 2 .
  • the I/O units 203 may be used for communicating with network functions such as an I-/ S-CSCF.
  • the I/O units 202 and 203 may be combined units including communication equipment towards several entities, or may include a distributed structure with a plurality of different interfaces for different entities.
  • Reference sign 204 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor or processing function 201 and/or as a working storage of the processor or processing function 201. It is to be noted that the memory 204 may be implemented by using one or more memory portions of the same or different type of memory.
  • the processor or processing function 201 is configured to execute processing related to the above described control procedure.
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 201 includes one or more of the following sub-portions.
  • Sub-portion 2011 is a processing portion which is usable as a portion for receiving and processing a register message from a UE or the like. The portion 2011 may be configured to perform processing according to S810 and S820 of Fig. 8 .
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 201 may include a sub-portion 2012 usable as a portion for sending a second IP address. The portion 2012 may be configured to perform a processing according to S830 of Fig. 8 .
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 201 may include a sub-portion 2013 usable as a portion for establishing logical associations. The portion 2013 may be configured to perform a processing according to S840 of Fig. 8 .
  • Fig. 11 shows a diagram of a communication element or communication function, such as UE 10, configured for a stand-by configuration, which conducts a communication processing according to some examples of embodiments, as described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 , which is configured to conduct a processing according to examples of embodiments of the disclosure.
  • the network element or function such as the UE 10 may include further elements or functions besides those described herein below.
  • the element or function may be also another device or function having a similar task, such as a chipset, a chip, a module, an application etc., which can also be part of a network element or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like.
  • each block and any combination thereof may be implemented by various means or their combinations, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and/or circuitry.
  • the UE 10 shown in Fig. 11 may include a processing circuitry, a processing function, a control unit or a processor 101, such as a CPU or the like, which is suitable for executing instructions given by programs or the like related to the control procedure.
  • the processor 101 may include one or more processing portions or functions dedicated to specific processing as described below, or the processing may be run in a single processor or processing function. Portions for executing such specific processing may be also provided as discrete elements or within one or more further processors, processing functions or processing portions, such as in one physical processor like a CPU or in one or more physical or virtual entities, for example.
  • Reference sign 102 denotes input/output (I/O) units or functions (interfaces) connected to the processor or processing function 101.
  • the I/O units 102 may be used for communicating with network functions such as P-CSCF 20.
  • the I/O unit 102 may be combined units including communication equipment towards several entities, or may include a distributed structure with a plurality of different interfaces for different entities.
  • Reference sign 104 denotes a memory usable, for example, for storing data and programs to be executed by the processor or processing function 101 and/or as a working storage of the processor or processing function 101. It is to be noted that the memory 104 may be implemented by using one or more memory portions of the same or different type of memory.
  • the processor or processing function 101 is configured to execute processing related to the above described control procedure.
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 101 includes one or more of the following sub-portions.
  • Sub-portion 1011 is a processing portion which is usable as a portion for sending a register message to the network.
  • the portion 1011 may be configured to perform processing according to S910 of Fig. 9 .
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 101 may include a sub-portion 1012 usable as a portion for receiving and storing a (second) IP address.
  • the portion 1012 may be configured to perform a processing according to S920 of Fig. 9 .
  • the processor or processing circuitry or function 101 may include a sub-portion 1013 usable as a portion for establishing logical associations.
  • the portion 1013 may be configured to perform a processing according to S930 of Fig. 9 .
  • examples of embodiments may concern also other communication network control elements or communication network control functions for which a corresponding processing is applicable and which can be deployed in a computer cloud environment at different sites (e.g. different availability zones) by using more than one IP address.
  • an apparatus for use by a communication network control element or communication network control function using at least two Internet Protocol, IP, addresses comprising means configured to receive a register message from a communication element or communication function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, means configured to process the register message for determining whether the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function, means configured, in case the determination is affirmative, to send to the communication element or communication function an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, and means configured to establish a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and a second logical association between the second IP address of the communication network control element or
  • the above defined apparatus may further comprise means for conducting at least one of the processing defined in the above described methods, for example a method according to that described in connection with Fig. 8 .
  • an apparatus for use by a communication element or communication function configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two Internet protocol, IP, addresses of a communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function comprising means configured to send a register message to a communication network control element or communication network control function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the register message comprising an indication that the communication element or communication function is configured for the stand-by configuration, means configured to receive, from the communication network control element or communication network control function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, means configured to store the second IP address, and means configured to establish a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and a second logical association between the second IP address of the
  • the above defined apparatus may further comprise means for conducting at least one of the processing defined in the above described methods, for example a method according to that described in connection with Fig. 9 .
  • a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform, when used in a communication network control element or communication network control function using at least two Internet Protocol, IP, addresses, a processing comprising receiving a register message from a communication element or communication function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, processing the register message for determining whether the communication element or communication function is configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two IP addresses of the communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function, in case the determination is affirmative, sending to the communication element or communication function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, and establishing a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and a second logical association between
  • a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform, when used in a communication element or communication function configured for a stand-by configuration in which at least two Internet protocol, IP, addresses of a communication network control element or communication network control function are usable for a communication connection with the communication element or communication function, a processing comprising sending a register message to a communication network control element or communication network control function via a communication using a first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the register message comprising an indication that the communication element or communication function is configured for the stand-by configuration, receiving, from the communication network control element or communication network control function, an indication of a second IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function, the second IP address being different to the first IP address, storing the second IP address, and establishing a first logical association between the first IP address of the communication network control element or communication network control function and an IP address of the communication element or communication function and

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EP22156079.0A 2022-02-10 2022-02-10 Mécanisme de commande de communication avec fonction de commande d'état d'appel en nuage Pending EP4228223A1 (fr)

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130054806A1 (en) * 2011-08-31 2013-02-28 Metaswitch Networks Ltd Load Balancing for SIP Services
US20210289371A1 (en) * 2020-03-11 2021-09-16 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Systems and methods for call session control function failover using dynamic routing techniques

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130054806A1 (en) * 2011-08-31 2013-02-28 Metaswitch Networks Ltd Load Balancing for SIP Services
US20210289371A1 (en) * 2020-03-11 2021-09-16 Verizon Patent And Licensing Inc. Systems and methods for call session control function failover using dynamic routing techniques

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
3GPP TS 23.380
3GPP TS 33.202

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